Dodgers allocate utility player Hyeseong Kim, place Tommy Edman on injured reserve list
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Hyeseong Kim: The Korean Utility Player Ready to Prove Himself for the LA Dodgers
ATLANTA - The Dodgers offseason wasn't just about Mookie Betts and Dave Roberts, it was also about the signing of the South Korean utilityman Hyeseong Kim. With a three-year, $12.5-million contract in his pocket, Kim has been called up by the Dodgers and is about to make his major league debut against the Atlanta Braves.
Kim, a 26-year-old speedster, was highly touted for his defensive abilities and base-stealing skills but raised serious concerns about his batting prowess. Spring training was a rough ride for him, as he batted a dismal .217 with just one home run and 11 strikeouts. The Dodgers decided to send him to Triple-A Oklahoma City, hoping that it would provide him with a softer landing spot to revamp his mechanics and handle big-league competition.
Despite the slow start, Kim's bat has shown improvement in Oklahoma City, as he batted .252 with five home runs, 19 RBIs, and a .798 OPS. He has also stolen 13 bases, showing his nasty speed.
However, Kim's bat is still a work in progress, as manager Dave Roberts cautioned. He's likely to be with the big-league team for only a week, called up to replace Tommy Edman, who was placed on the injured list due to an ankle injury.
Kim, a left-handed hitter, is optimistic about his chances and said he was excited to be given the opportunity to prove himself in the big leagues. He acknowledged that there's still room for improvement in his game, but he's confident that he'll make progress with the Dodgers.
The Dodgers management, including General Manager Brandon Gomes, has been pleased with Kim's progress so far. They envisioned a prominent role for the speedy utilityman, trading former second baseman Gavin Lux just days after Kim was acquired. Kim is expected to come off the bench next week, though there could be starting opportunities for him at second base, center field, and even shortstop if needed.
Kim will also get a chance to face the best pitchers in the world, which will help him develop further. The Dodgers brass has no plans to make major evaluations about the state of Kim's swing during this week. Instead, they see it as a reward and an opportunity for him to get acclimated to life in the big leagues.
With Kim's call-up, the Dodgers hope to add more depth to their roster and reenergize their offense. Stay tuned to see how Kim performs in his big-league debut.
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Enrichment Data:- Kim was promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City on May 3, 2025, marking the 28th Korean player to have played in the MLB.- Kim has four KBO Gold Glove Awards and is known for his elite glovework.- Kim was signed to a 3-year, $12.5 million deal via the KBO posting system in January 2025.
- After being signed via the KBO posting system, the Korean utility player Hyeseong Kim is set to make his Major League Baseball debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Despite batting struggles in spring training, Kim has shown improvement in Triple-A, with a .252 average, five home runs, and 13 stolen bases.
- The Dodgers have expressed optimism about Kim's role on the team, envisioning him as a utility player who could play second base, center field, and even shortstop if needed.
- Having been promoted to replace the injured Tommy Edman, Kim, a left-handed hitter, is thrilled about the opportunity to prove himself in the big leagues.
- The Dodgers hope that Kim can add more depth to their roster and reenergize their offense in the remaining part of the season.
- As a four-time KBO Gold Glove Award winner, Kim is known for his elite defensive skills, and his debut against the Atlanta Braves will give him a chance to face some of the best pitchers in the world, potentially aiding his development further.
